LaMelo Ball Out Against Atlanta Due to Wrist Injury

Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball is officially out for the matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to right wrist soreness, after being downgraded from questionable earlier in the day. This absence comes as the Hornets struggle against the Hawks, having lost all three previous encounters this season, and with another key player, Miles Bridges, also unavailable. Ball has had a strong season with averages of 25.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds, but the team has a dismal 1-6 record when both he and Bridges are inactive. Analysts are leaning towards the Hawks as favorites, particularly with Trae Young leading their offense. The Hornets' offensive struggles are compounded by their reliance on Ball and Bridges, making their prospects uncertain for the game. Increased playing time will likely be given to rookies like Nick Smith Jr. in Ball's absence, but historical performance suggests challenges ahead for Charlotte's offense.